London markets

London’s Great Markets

BOROUGH MARKET

This gourmet’s paradise offers a range of fruit, vegetables, fresh and cured meats, spices, bakery items and delicious street food. There’s also a wide selection of specialist ingredients, and any number of exotic treats. Borough Market is great for lunch, or for shopping. It is open for lunch on Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 to 17:00, and the full market operates on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00, on Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00.

From South Kensington take the District or Circle line from Gloucester Road station to Westminster & change to Jubilee line for London Bridge Station.

BRICK LANE MARKET

You’ll find everything from junk to gems in this market, which spreads across several streets in the Brick Lane area. There’s bric-a-brac, second-hand furniture, shoes and lots more. There are also stalls selling exotic spices, colourful saris and other oriental delights. Click here for more information. This market is open every Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Take the District Line from Gloucester Road station to Aldgate East Station. 18 minutes walk to Bacon Street.

CAMDEN MARKET

Camden Lock is the hub of Camden’s huge market. Here you’ll find a vast range of goods from designer clothes and accessories to one-off pieces of art, food and furnishings. There are also designer workshops, studios, stalls, shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Camden Market is open every day from 10:00 to18:00.

Take the Piccadilly Line from South Kensington station to Leicester Square station and change to Northern line for Camden town station.

PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

Portobello Road has been a market since the 1800s, and became famous for its antiques in the 1950s. Now there are numerous stalls offering everything from fruit and bread to posters, clothes, music and of course – antiques! The market is open Monday to Wednesday from 09:00 to 18:00, Thursday from 09:00 to 13:00 and Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00.

From Imperial College/Elvaston Place, take the 70 bus to Powis Gardens and its 4 minute walk to Portobello Road. Alternatively take Circle Line from Gloucester Road station to Notting hill Gate station. From there it is 20 minute walk.

COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

Anyone with green fingers should make a stop here for plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees. You can also pick up gardening accessories from the surrounding shops. Make sure you take home some of the gorgeous cut flowers on offer. Open every Sunday from 08:00 to 15:00.

Take Circle or District Line from Gloucester Road station to Monument Station. Walk to Bank Station. Take Northern Line to Old Street Station. From there it is about 20 minute walk to the Colombia Road Flower Market.

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET

This popular covered market sells everything from clothes to food to art. There are specialist shops, hairdressers and restaurants nearby. Once you’ve finished shopping, you won’t be stuck for entertainment options: the bars and clubs of Shoreditch are a short walk away. Click here for more information. Spitalfields market is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, on Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Take the District Line from Gloucester Road station to Aldgate East Station. From there it is a 10 minute walk to Old Spitalfields Market.

GREENWICH MARKET

Greenwich Market has beautiful products from craft designers and cottage industries. Weekends are busiest, with about 150 stalls selling an enticing range of jewellery, pictures, clothes and accessories, and unique gifts. There’s also a food court. The nearby shops sell even more goodies. The market is open six days a week from 10:00 to 17:30; it is closed on Monday.

Take the District or Circle line from Gloucester Road station to Westminster & change to Jubilee line to Canary Warf. 7 minutes walk to Heron Quay for Dockland light railway. Take the DLR to Cutty Sark. From there it is a 5 minute walk to Greenwich Market.

COVENT GARDEN LONDON

Housed in and around the historic market building and surrounding piazzas, Covent Garden is an architectural masterpiece. Along with the speciality shops, restaurants and cafés is the Apple craft market, where you'll be entertained by street performers. Click here for the various markets and opening hours.

From South Kensington take the 14 bus to Piccadilly Circus. From there it is 16 minutes walk to Covent Garden.

Take the Piccadilly line from South Kensington Station to Covent Garden station.